Den remained silent, offering no reaction.


    Hailey couldn''t tear her eyes away from him.


    Fresh from the shower, his damp hair clung to his forehead. He wore a simple ck T-shirt and matching pants, and his youthful charm shone through.


    He was a fantastic cook, a skill developed through years of practice. There was something undeniably attractive about a man who knew his way around the kitchen.


    The more Hailey watched him, the deeper her feelings grew. "Den, why are you ignoring me? If you keep this up, I''ll have to tickle you."


    Before he could respond, Hailey reached up and began to tickle him.


    Her hands found his toned waist, and he jolted at the sensation.


    With one swift motion, Den caught both of her wrists, pinning her against the


    wall. "What do you think you''re doing? You''d better behave."


    Hailey squirmed, trying to free her hands. "Why are you being so rough?"


    Den didn''t release her.


    Hailey rose onto her tiptoes. Leaning in, she pressed a soft kiss to his lips.


    Den froze for a moment.


    Upon noticing that he didn''t pull away, Hailey grew bolder, leaning in to kiss him again.


    The sweet, delicate scent of her skin filled his senses-luxurious and floral, a sharp contrast to the soap he''d just used. It was utterly intoxicating.


    Finally, Den let go of her wrists.


    Without hesitation, Hailey wrapped her arms around his waist, gently parting his lips with hers as she kissed him again.


    He was typically cold and distant, but as she let her tongue slip in, Hailey felt the rush of his warmth. She couldn''t help but relish every second of it.


    Den''s body reignited with heat, the tension between them returning.


    Just then, Pam''s voice broke the moment. "Why does it smell like something''s burning?"


    She quickly entered the room. "Den, did you burn the food?"


    Since Pam was visually impaired and in thefort of her own home, she didn''t knock, simply walking in without hesitation.


    Hailey immediately pulled away from Den, her face flushing a bright shade of red.


    Den''s expression remained stoic as he swiftly turned off the stove. "Mom, I forgot to turn off the heat. It''s nothing."


    "As long as everything''s fine, there''s no problem," Pam said.


    "Mrs. Zamora, I was just talking with Den, and we lost track of time," Hailey exined.


    Pam smiled warmly. "Alright, you two continue. I''ll give you some space."


    Once Pam left, the awkward silence lingered. Hailey stole a nce at Den, and to her surprise,


    , she noticed his earsel


    had


    turned a deep red.


    He was blushing.


    Hailey couldn''t contain her surprise. "Den, are you blushing?"


    Den quickly denied it. "No, I''m not."


    "Oh, you most definitely are!"


    Den shot her a cold nce. "Leave!"


    "I''m not leaving. I want to stay with you," Hailey responded, wrapping her arms around him from behind.


    Her soft, sweet presence tangled with


    S and Den stiffened f


    . "Hailey, you''re a womeet


    Aren''t you embarrasse et


    We


    "Why would I be embarrassed?"


    Den fell silent, unsure of what to say next.


    "You''re my boyfriend, right? Isn''t that what couples do-kiss, hug, be close? I''m


    not embarrassed!" Hailey replied.


    Den shot back, "Who said I''m your boyfriend?"


    "You did! You''re my boyfriend!"


    "I never agreed to that!"


    "Well, I kissed you, and you didn''t stop me. You didn''t push me away the first time, and every time after that, you still didn''t refuse. I refuse to believe you don''t have feelings for me"


    IMS